Foldable platform stage



Feb. 9, 1954 w J HORN FOLDABLE PLATFORM STAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1949 W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W M W W W W W W W W W W W W Feb. 9, 1954 w HORN 2,668,331

FOLDABLE PLATFORM STAGE Filed Oct. 27, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 '3 Sheets-Sheet 5 527 mm for 22/212??? M. Worn 1954 w. J. HORN FQLDABLE PLATFORM STAGE Filed Oct. 27, 1949 Patented Feb. 9, 1,954 2,668,331

UNITED PATENT 'eF-Fme 2fi i EOLDABLE BLATFOIEQM swan Q Q 1 QfBQlWw' Annli ati ne October 27, 1949, Serial No. 122,955

ems; (o 20 *14 312 This invention relates 's'eiieragly 13d fiempdrg y the. pmv siqn, Q12: a; temponai y plat o m tage stageg for performance pt; 0 5 nd 1 in ua: "a ty; Oi .SQ QI fil T1991 .11 3 1 2- 1 to a texl jmomry platform; stage 6f a foldable hii l ediy; c qted wea he r-su9c.e sivem. m= type. mentmu-nmlded positions in a, ho zanta lane Temppl ary stages llcllw eflr'gnyu'sedmsqljo'cgg, ildi 9. pldem upm hitpusi ion Intwwnneszfii hotels, h lls and, the like a uprigklt ground s.upmmtin st uctur s th 1. f rme qr gal rj f0; glgquj units are movable to foldged gm; unfiglded p9 -v atherings u i1a1 cQr ipr sge E l t1iuc fures f t me i l es pnee o bh v ment ,Q than: sorri a e her 0 q f m lee st 7 flq ri r l n e n ed portls.

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- 3 tion and extended longitudinally of a corresponding floor unit II. The leg members I4 of a U-frame I5 are formed of a pair of substantially channel shape members I8, arranged in a back-to-back relation and formed at their outer or open sides with a pair of oppositely arranged inwardly extended track or guide portions I9, as best appears in Fig. 7. The base member I5, of a U-frame I5, is of an angle iron construction and has secured at each end, as by bolts 20, upright plate extensions I! which are positioned between a pair of adjacent channel members I8 and extend laterally outwardly therefrom. The plate extensions II are secured to their corresponding channel members It, as by welding or like means. Each U-frame I5 is carried on castor wheels 26 to provide for the ready movement of the stage on a floor surface.

In order to lock the stage against movement on a floor, certain of the plate members ii, and as indicated for the plate member Ila in Fig. 4, are provided with a floor-locking unit 25 comprising an internally threaded upright sleeve member 22 secured as by bolts 2| to the outer end of the plate member Ila. A hand screw 23, threadable within the sleeve member 22, is provided at its lower end with a. floor-gripping vacuum cup member 24.

Mounted at the upper end of each leg l4 (Fig. 4) is a U-shape hinge supporting member 25 having the legs 28 thereof spaced transversely of a floor unit I I. A hinge 29 has a pair of hinge members 3| pivoted together at their inner ends, as indicated at 32. The outer ends of the hinge members 3| are pivoted at 33 to the adjacent legs 28 on adjacent uprights or legs I4 positioned transversely of a floor unit II. The pivot connections 33 are such that when the hinge 29 is extended in a horizontal plane, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the top surface of the hinge is substantially flush with the top edges of the legs 28 of a U-support 21.

Each floor section I2 (Fig. 5) is of a width greater than the length of a hinge member 3i, so as to overhang the space between the legs 28 of a hinge support 21, when the platform is unfolded, for a purpose to appear later. The floor sections I2 are secured to the top sides of the hinge members 3! by screws 55 or the like.

A lazy tong link system 34 is movably connected between a pair of transversely opposite uprights or legs I4 at a position below the U- supports 2! (Fig. 4). Links 35 have their upper or free ends 31 extended within the open side of a channel member I8 for pivotal support on a pivot pin 38 carried between the legs as of a channel member I8, as best appears in Fig. 7. The links 4|, which are connected in a scissors arrangement with the links 35, have their lower or free ends 42 provided witha transverse pin or roller 43 which is ridable on the tracks IQ of a channel member I8.

- Intermediate of and pivotally connected with each pair of associated links 36 and 4I, at 45 and 41, respectively, is a third pair of associated links 48 and 49. It is seen, therefore, that each lazy tong system 34 is comprised of a series of three pairs of links pivoted in a scissors fashion, and pivotally interconnected so as to be folded and unfolded in a direction transversely of a fioor unit II, with the open or unfolded position of a link system being limited by the movement of its respective hinge 29 to a horizontal position.

This horizontal position of the hinge 29 is defined by the engagement'of its pivot connection- 32 with a combination hinge stop and support 55 associated with each lazy tong system 34 and comprising a pair of links 5| and 52 (Figs. 4 and 5 having their adjacent ends pivoted together at 53. The links 51 and 52 are arranged in a straddling relation, relative to the links 48 and 49, and in an inverted V-shape relation with their lower ends pivoted at 45.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, when the link system 34 is extended and the hinge 29 is open, the apex or upper end of the combination hinge stop and support 55 is projected upwardly to a level substantially in the plane of the top edges of the legs 28 of the hinge supports 21 and at a position intermediate such supports for contact engagement with the hinge connection 32. As a result, the hinge 29 is positively looked against downward movement out of a horizontal position or plane, since any downward pressure applied on the hinge pivot 32 and against the combination hinge stop and support 50 is ineffective to close the link system.

In the use of the stage of this invention, assume the platform III to be in its open position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. At this open position, the floor sections I2 are arranged closely adjacent to each other and in a common plane so as to form an over-all smooth floor surface for the platform I8. This continuous floor surface is achieved as a result of the positioning ,of the hinges 25 in horizontal planes in the manner previously described. Further, each floor unit H is positively supported against downward movement at three points spaced transversely thereof, namely, at the pivot connections 32 and 33, and in turn each floor section I2 is positively supported at the opposite sides thereof. Thus the support 58 supports the adjacent sides of a pair of sections I2 formed as a part of a floor unit II, and the outer sides of such pairs of sections I2 are supported at the pivots 33 on adjacent supporting legs I4. Positive stability and rigidity is thus given to the platform It]. In its open position, the complete stage is readily movable over a floor surface 45 on the castor wheels 25. By merely turning the hand screws 23 downwardly, the suction cups 24 are pressed into gripping engagement with the floor 45 to positively hold the stage at a desired location.

" For the purpose of appearance, the front side of the stage may be provided with an upright back board 55 (Figs. 1 and 5) which is suitably secured, as indicated at 51, to the upright legs I4 on the forward one of the U-frames I5. To facilitate this assembly, the forward legs of the U -members 21, associated with the front legs I4, are removed, as clearly appears in Fig. 5.

To assume the stability of the stage, it is contemplated that the U-frames I5, when the lazy tong systems 34 are in their extended positions, be spaced 2. distance apart of about thirty inches, transversely of the stage. Also, and with reference to Fig. 2, it is contemplated that the legs I4 of a U-frame l5 be spaced apart a distance of about thirty inches. Likewise, each series of frame members I5 and associated tong systems 34 are spaced transversely of the stage a distance apart of about thirty inches. As a result, regardless of the longitudinal length of the stage, the floor supporting structures I3, one or more of which may be used in a floor unit II, can be spaced transversely of a floor unit such that the distance apart of about thirty inches. It is apparent, or course, that this spacing or the legs is is not critical.- I y When a stage having larger floor surface than the seer surface obtained by t e platform is desires, two or more stages or this inventlGIi Call be arranged adjacent to each other;-

Thus, as shownin Fig.- 3,- the ends 58 of a floor section If project laterally beyond the floor stops 25. The floor sections E2 of the separate stages are thus movable end to' end in abutting engagement to form a continuous stage platform; This is accomplished by moving a first stage to a desired position, looking it in place by manipulation of the floor stops 25, and then moving a second stage into a desired relation therewith, and looking the second stage in place by the floor stops 25 associated therewith.

the fdlding 6f message, it isonly necessary to null iipw'ardly (iii a floo'r'unit H at the pivot connection 32 corresponding thereto whereby a hinge 29 is folded upwardly to function as an actuating member for relatively moving the legs 14 connected thereto toward each other, with this inward movement of the legs M in turn providing for a closing of the link system 34 connected therebetween, as shown in Fig. 6. On upward movement of a hinge member 29, the floor sections I2 secured thereto are pivotally moved downwardly toward each other, with the adjacent sides of the floor sections I2 being beveled, as indicated at 59, to provide a suitable working clearance between their adjacent sides. The hinge members 3 I, on movement of a hinge 29, are movable to upright positions in a substantially backto-back relation by virtue of the U-shape construction of the hinge supports 27 which are adapted to accommodate, between the legs 28 thereof, the sides 61 of adjacent floor units II (Fig. 6). Further, the apex of the hinge stop 50, on closing movement of its associated lazy tong system 34, is moved downwardly so as to be within the vertical confines of such tong system in its folded position. As a result, the frames l5 and lazy tong systems 34 are capable of being closely folded together, without interference from the floor sections 12, which are folded together in upright positions, and in substantially a backto-back relation, at a level above the upright legs I 4.

As shown in Fig. 6, the floor stops 25 are mounted on alternate ones of the upright legs E4 in a direction transversely of the stage. By this arrangement one or more of the floor units 1 i may be extended, independently of the remaining floor units H, and then looked in extended positions by manipulation of the floor stops 25.

From a consideration of the above description it is seen that the invention provides a temporary platform stage of a foldable type capable of being opened to form a rigidly supported continuous floor surface. The floor units II, comprising the stage, may be individually extended so that the floor space of the platform ill may be varied between limits, defined by the floor surface of a single floor unit H, and the floor surface of the combined floor units 1 I. This floor space may be increased further by the use of one or more of the platform stages of this invention. Also, the stage is readily movable within a hall or auditorium,

whether in an open or closed position, by its support on the castor wheels or rollers 26. In its folded position, the component parts of the stage are nested together so as to occupy a minimum of space for storage purposes, and to minimize bulkiness for handling and transport purposes.

' nltihdiiglithe invention has been assented with respect-to a preferred embodiment thereof,- it istobe understood that it isflnot to be so limited since changes can be made therein which are Within the full-intended scop of this intende as defined by the appended claims.

L A folding stage comprising a sectional floor structure, upright members for supporting said structure spaced longitudinally of said floor strum ture-and arranged in rows extended transversely of said floor structure, upright U'-shap e mem bers carried at-tlieto'p ends of said upright members, with the legs of said 'u-sha 'e members being in planes extended longitudinally of said floor structure, hinge structure's-each having a pivot intermediate its ends pivotally connected to and e'Xtendi-n'g'between the adjacent legs of adjacent ones "ofsaid U shape members for moveinent to an unfoldedhorizontal position and to a osition.

folded upwardly, horizontally, foidable lafz'y tong systems extended between and movably connected to adjacent ones of said upright members pe'rmit ting folding-and unfolding of said hinge struc tures transversely of said floor structure, and means for securing the sections of said floor structure to the upper side of said hinge structures for hinged movement therewith, said floor sections extending slightly beyond said pivotal connection of the hinge structures to said adjacent legs and being foldable upwardly to vertical positions against each other, with the lower sides of adjacent pairs thereof receivable within longitudinally opposite ones of said U-shape members.

2. A folding stage having movable floor boards, comprising a plurality of pairs of vertical frame structures disposed side-by-side, each including an upright frame support at the opposite ends thereof, the supports of one of said frame structures being in opposed relation to those of the other, a pair of parallel horizontally foldable lazy tong systems each extended between an upright support of one frame structure and an opposing upright support of the other frame structure and mounted for folding and unfolding movement transversely of said frame structures to permit movement of said structures towards and away from each other and including links disposed in vertical planes and reversely inclined from a pivot connecting their lower ends, a pair of floor board hinge members pivotally connected together at their inner ends at a point substantially midway between said frame structures for movement about a horizontal axis and having their outer ends pivotally connected to the top of said adjacent upright supports for movement about a horizontal axis, said floor board hinge members being in vertical parallel positions when said lazy tong systems are folded and being in horizontal positions forming a platform when said lady tong systems are extended, and a pair of upstanding supporting links positioned substantially midway between said upright supports, said links being connected at their lower ends to at least two pivotal connections connecting adjacent reversely inclined links of said lazy tong system which move upwardly upon unfolding movement of said system, said supporting links being pivotally interconnected at their other ends and of a length sufiicient to engage and support the pivotal connection between said hinge members when the lazy tong system is extended.

3. A folding stage having foldable floor boards, comprising a pair of vertical frame structures disposed side-by-side each including an upright frame support at the opposite ends thereof, the supports of one of said frame structures bein in opposed relation to those of the other, a pair of parallel horizontally foldable lazy tong systems each extended between an upright support of one frame structure and an opposing upright support of the other frame structure and mounted for folding and unfolding movement transversely of said frame structures to permit movement of said structures towards and away from each other while maintaining them in vertical position and including links disposed in vertical planes and reversely inclined from a pivot connecting their lower ends, a pair of floor board supporting hinge members pivotally connected together at their inner ends at a point substantially midway between said frame structures for movement about a horizontal axis and having their outer ends pivotally connected to the top of said upright supports for movement about a horizontal axis, a floor board secured to each member, said floor boards being in vertical parallel positions when said lazy tong systems are folded and in horizontal positions forming a platform when said lazy tong systems are extended, and a pair of upstanding supporting links associated with each lazy tong system each supporting link being connected at its lower end to one of said pivots approximately midway between said upright supports, said supporting links being pivotally interconnected at their other ends and of a length suflicient to engage and support the pivotal connection between said hinge members when the lazy tong systems are extended and the floor boards are horizontal.

WALTER J. HORN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,036,726 Salisbury Aug. 27, 1912 2,257,522 Bailey Sept. 30, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 648,271 Germany July 27, 1937 

